Orioles minor league recap 9/4: Bowens hits first career Triple-A HR in Norfolk loss

The Tides, Baysox and Shorebirds all struggled for offense in their losses Tuesday, while the IronBirds held off a comeback attempt to earn the organization’s lone win.

Triple-A: Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 4, Norfolk Tides 2

The Tides fell behind in the first inning and the bats never got them back level as they fell to the Knights. Charlotte attacked Norfolk starter Justin Armbruester from the start of the game, rallying in the top of the first. After Mark Payton’s single, Tim Elko doubled to center to give Charlotte runners at second and third. Oscar Colás would then send a sac fly to score Payton before Bryan Ramos doubled home Elko for a 2-0 lead.

For the rest of the game, the Tides were trying to play catchup but never could catch the Knights. J.D Davis cut the lead to 2-1 with a solo HR to lead off the second. However, after a walk and two singles in the top of the 4th, Charlotte restored its two-run advantage.

Norfolk responded with its second solo blast of the day, this time courtesy of TT Bowens in the bottom of the fourth. With Charlotte leading 3-2, former White Sox starting 3B Yoan Moncada joined in on the Home Run Derby, launching his own solo homer to lead off the fifth.

After that, Norfolk simply stopped responding as their offense fell silent. The Tides’ only other hit after the fourth came via a Blake Hunt double in the bottom of the sixth. With the tying run at the plate, Bowens flew out to center and Hudson Haskin struck out to end the scoring threat. The Tides’ offense finished the game going 2-15 against the Knights bullpen while striking out six times.

Box score

Double-A: Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) 5, Bowie Baysox 2

The Baysox didn’t record a hit after the first inning and the Senators rallied to score three runs in the ninth to steal a win in Bowie. Early on it looked like the Baysox would control this game from beginning to end. In the bottom of the first, Frederick Bencosme singled to center and then stole second to move into scoring position. Two batters later, Creed Willems bounced a ball through the left side for an RBI single that gave Bowie a 1-0 lead. Silas Ardoin followed his fellow catcher’s example, doubling down the left field line to score Willems and double the lead.

However, that was the last rally Bowie would mount on Tuesday. The only Bowie baserunner after the first inning came via a Bencosme walk in the bottom of the ninth. Harrisburg pitchers retired 26 straight batters as they thoroughly dominated the Bowie lineup.

While the Baysox bats got shut down, Harrisburg got the chance to claw back into the game. The Senators got their first run thanks to a bases-loaded walk in the top of the second, cutting the Bowie lead to 2-1. After three straight innings of scoreless baseball, the Senators got on the board again in the sixth. Harrisburg got its first two batters on via a walk and hit by pitch, and then both into scoring position on a throwing error by Ardoin. After that, all Cortland Lawson had to do was lift a sac fly into left to tie the game at two.

After a strong day for the Bowie pitching staff through eight innings, things fell apart for Bradley Brehmer when he took over in the top of the ninth. Harrisburg immediately loaded the bases on three consecutive singles and then broke the tie with a one-out, two-run single. After another walk loaded the bases again, a fielding error on a grounder to Bencosme at short gave Harrisburg its fifth and final run.

Box score

High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 6, Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies) 5

Aberdeen withstood a late comeback attempt from the BlueClaws to secure a series-opening win in Ripken Stadium. The IronBirds got on the board first with a three spot in the top of the first. Griff O’Ferrall led off the game with a single in his first High-A AB, and then Aberdeen loaded the bases on a Thomas Sosa single and Elio Prado walk. Austin Overn worked a walk to force in O’Ferrall before Ryan Stafford singled to center to give the IronBirds a 3-0 lead.

The BlueClaws cut the lead to 3-2 with two runs in the top of the third, only for the IronBirds to come back with two runs of their own. In the bottom of the inning, Ethan Anderson, Prado and Overn walked to load the bases. Leandro Arias then grounded out to short to force in Anderson, and a throwing error allowed Prado to score behind him.

Prado would extend the lead further in the fourth. With two outs and runners on at second and third, Prado singled to third to give Aberdeen a 6-2 lead. Even after the BlueClaws got a run back in the fifth, Aberdeen seemed in control of the game. Things got tense in the eighth when Jordan Dissin reached on a HBP and Jordan Viars homered to right, cutting the lead to 6-5. However, Grabrel Salazar and Tyler Burch combined to get the last four outs and secure the Aberdeen win.

Box score

Low-A: Carolina Mudcats (Red Sox) 11, Delmarva Shorebirds 3

The Shorebirds fell behind 9-0 after two innings and never got back into the game in a blowout loss to the Mudcats. Delmarva starter Ty Weatherly and reliever Randy Berigüete combined to walk seven batters in the first inning as Carolina put up seven runs on only two hits.

Justin Showalter took over in the second and settled things down somewhat for the Shorebirds. The Mudcats would add on two unearned runs because of a fielding error by 1B Cole Urman and a passed ball by C Colin Tuft. From there, Showalter was excellent in the third and fourth, striking out five batters en route to two scoreless frames.

He lost his control somewhat in the fifth, giving up three singles, hitting two batters and uncorking a wild pitch as the Mudcats stretched the lead to 11-0. Showalter’s overall line—4 IP, 5 H, 4 R (2 ER), 3 BB and 7 K—shows the continued promise he’s demonstrated since joining the Shorebirds at the end of July. The 25-year-old has a 2.67 ERA with 27 Ks in 27 innings for Delmarva.

The Shorebirds would finally get on the board in the seventh, scoring two runs thanks to a pair of singles, an Urman double and an RBI groundout. Delmarva added another consolation run in the ninth, but it was too little too late against Carolina.

Box score

Wednesday’s scheduled games

Norfolk Tides vs. Charlotte Knights, 6:35pm ET (TBD vs. Deivi García)

Bowie Baysox vs. Harrisburg Senators, 6:35pm ET (Patrick Reily vs. Kyle Luckham)

Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 7:05pm ET ( TBD vs. Jack Dallas)

Delmarva Shorebirds at Carolina Mudcats, 6:30pm ET (Eccel Correa vs. Mason Molina)